Permission based text messaging

ABSTRACT

A user may receive one or more text messages after the user is authorized. The potential user can opt in through a web page in one embodiment. Once the potential user sends an initial request, the user may receive a first text message containing an authorization code on their mobile phone. The user may enter the authorization code back to a web page. Receipt of the authorization code may trigger the phone number of the potential user to be added to a list of authorized text message receivers. One or more text messages may then be sent to authorized phone numbers on the list.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/776,433, filed Feb. 25, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,630,670), which iscontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/242,581, filed Sep. 23,2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,385,955), which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/726,896, filed Mar. 23, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,046,012), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/047,155, filed Jan. 31, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,197,324), thedisclosures of each of the above-referenced applications areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the communications industry it is often desirable to be able tonarrowcast a message that will be received instantly by a large numberof people such as potential customers or people who may need to be awareof an emergency situation. Care must be taken not to offend thepotential customer or others with unwanted messages such as unsolicitedproduct offerings.

Patent application 2004/0247090 discloses an alert system capable offormatting a message and sending that alert message out over a varietyof platforms including text messaging to cell phones. This system uses adatabase of potential recipients of the message. The problem with thesystem is that the recipients may not want to receive the message. Evenif they are potentially interested in the message, they may be confusedas to why they have received the message and may delete the messagebecause they don't know what the message is or why they are receivingit. The public at large has grown wary of unsolicited offers coming bytraditional mail, phone, text message and by email. Selling of customerlists and unwanted offers and information can lead to a backlash such asthe recent ‘no-call’ lists in the telemarketing industry. The so called“can-spam” law was put in place to protect consumers against unwantedtext messages for example.

Patent application 2004/018683 discloses a system of communicating socalled “Amber” alerts to a mobile work force. This system narrowcasts analert to a closed community of company workers. While those workers maybe more receptive to receiving the messages narrowcast, this systemstill does not suggest a solution to reaching an audience in the generalpublic that is receptive to the information being sent.

As can be seen there is a need for a narrowcast communications systemthat will allow information to reach the public quickly and efficientlybut that information must be wanted by the recipients such that there isno resentment towards the sender.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a narrowcast communications system thatallows a message to be narrowcast to a receptive audience in the generalpublic that is prepared to receive that message. However, thisapplication is targeted at a method and system that can be called“Narrowcasting”. Unlike broadcasting, narrowcasting sends a message to atarget audience of potential receivers that have given permission tohave the message sent to their cell phone. The present invention furtherprovides for a narrowcast communication system wherein a person can optin to receive text messages narrowcast from a central location. Theperson can opt in, for example, by going to a participating web page andclicking on an icon to bring up an application to sign up for textmessages. The application may include a variety of potential topics thatthe potential user may select. The user then can input into theapplication a cellular phone number and an email address and also selectthe message category they wish to receive.

The present invention further includes a method for narrowcasting textmessages to plurality of cellular phones including the steps ofreceiving, over a computer network, a request to receive text messages.After the sign up request is received, an authorization code is sent toa cellular phone number received in said request and verifying theauthorization code has been received. Then adding the authorizedcellular phone number to a list of authorized phone numbers, and placinga text message call to at least a portion of the list of authorizedphone numbers.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparentfrom the detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of a portion of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a screen shot of a portion of the system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 shows a screen shot of a portion of the system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 shows a second flow diagram of a portion of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a third flow diagram of a portion of the present invention;and

FIG. 6 shows a screen shot of the process for message creation andnarrowcasting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE

Sending text messages to cellular phones has become a common way tocommunicate. It is possible to narrowcast a single message to aplurality of cellular phone users. This application is targeted at amethod and system that can be called “Narrowcasting”. Unlikebroadcasting, narrowcasting sends a message to a target audience ofpotential receivers that have given permission to have the message sentto their cell phone and/or email. For the purposes of this application‘narrowcasting’ means sending a text message and/or email to receiverswho have given permission.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a flow chart of the permission process 100 of how acustomer who would typically be remote from a central computer 405, cantake the option and give permission to receive text messages from thecentral computer 405. The potential system user can open 110 the webpage, see FIG. 2 for a computer screen shot of the web page basedapplication 200. The potential user can then enter 120 personal contactinformation and select 125 message topics from a field of possiblemessage topics (121 in FIG. 2). FIG. 2 shows a screen shot ofapplication 200 of the application process as applied to a Universitysports organization where a potential user can select from a field ofpossible message topics 121 of sports events as an example. Once thepotential user has entered 120 the message topics 121 they want andsubmitted 130 the application 200, the application 200 can be submittedover a network N to a central computer 405 that includes a database 407to store information such as a list of authorized cell phone numbers.The central computer 405 will, after a moment delay, send 140 thepotential user a message M containing an authorization code 225 to theircell phone 415 for display on cell phone screen 420. Sending 140 theauthorization code 225 contained in text message M serves two purposes,it demonstrates the technology to the potential user so that they cansee immediately that the system is working to ensure the user's phone istext enabled. It also provides a loop for the user to verify 150 theirdesire to opt in to the system by entering the authorization code 225they receive in the text message M back into the opt-in web page, seescreen shot FIG. 3. This can prevent unauthorized permission, forexample where an unauthorized person might attempt to enroll a personwho has not given permission. The unauthorized person would not onlyneed to know the cell phone number but would also need to be inpossession of the phone 415 to return the authorization code 225. FIG. 1also shows that the permission process 100 can include an option for theperson to unsubscribe 160 or change message preference. Thus a user canreturn to the permission process 100 at a later time and unsubscribe 160from receiving the narrowcast messages M or change message topics 121.FIG. 2 shows that a user can unsubscribe by clicking button 139.

FIG. 2 shows a screen shot of application 200 of the user intake webpage as it might be displayed on a user computer 400 (see FIG. 4). Theapplication 200 covers the steps 110, 120, 125 and 130 in FIG. 1. Theuser can select 125 from a field of topic choices 121. In this case thechoices 121 are college athletic teams but could be any topic choice.The application 200 then prompts for personal information such as name131, timezone 132, mobile or cellular number 133, Carrier 134, email 135and zip code 136. Once this information 121 and 131-136 is entered theuser actually submits the information 121 and 131-136 using a submitbutton 138. Once submitted via network N such as the Internet, theinformation 121 and 131-136 will arrive at a central computer (405 FIG.4). The central computer 405 can then send message M containing anauthorization code 225 to the cell phone 415 of the potential user. Oncesubmitted the user computer 400 screen will change from application 200to authorization 300 to that shown in FIG. 3. Later a person returningto the application 200 can unsubscribe 139 to stop receiving messagesfrom some or all of the topics 121 initially chosen. A user can alsoreturn to application 200 later and add additional topics 121 or deleteunwanted ones.

FIG. 3 shows a screen shot of the authorization web page 300. The userwill be prompted to enter the authorization code 225 that they receiveon their cell phone 415 from the central computer 405. The user can thencomplete the authorization process by clicking the subscribe 320 button.The authorization is then sent from the user's computer (400 FIG. 4) tothe central computer 405 via the Internet.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the system 10 which can include a user computer400 that allows the user to opt into the system 10 through a network Nsuch as the Internet. A central computer 405 which contains the opt inapplication forms shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The central computer 405 caninclude a program 410 to generate and narrowcast text messages 412 touser phones 415 of people who have opted in to receive messages 412. Thesystem can also include a narrowcaster computer 502 where a third partynarrowcaster can generate messages to be sent to authorized users andthe messages can be forwarded to the central computer 405 to betransmitted. For example, a university may be a third party that wishesto narrowcast messages such as university team scores for sportingevents to willing alumni. In this example, the university narrowcastercomputer 502 would create a message that would be forwarded through theinternet N to the central computer 405 to be transmitted to the cellularphones 415 of alumni who have expressed a willingness to receive thescore messages.

FIG. 5 shows the narrowcast text messages process 500, a narrowcastermight use to narrowcast text messages 412 to a number of users who havegiven permission to receive the text message 412. The narrowcaster firstgenerates 510 a message 412 to be narrowcast. The generation step 510can include inputting characters into a text message box 602 (see FIG.6). The message 412 can be sent immediately or scheduled 520 fornarrowcast at a specific time and date. The message can be scheduled 520for recurring transmission such as daily or monthly. The narrowcastercan save 530 the message 412 for future use and transmit 540 themessage. Many narrowcasters will not actually have a computer system totransmit multiple text messages or email. Rather the transmit 540 stepwill involve sending the message 412 over a computer network N to thecentral computer 405 where the phone numbers of the phones 415authorized to receive the message 412 can be stored.

FIG. 6 shows a screen shot 600 containing some of the details of thenarrowcast text messages process 500. The screen 600 can include a textbox 602 to compose a message 412 to be sent. The narrowcaster can selectmessage recipients 605 that can include authorized individuals or groupsof individuals who might receive a message 412. The narrowcaster canalso select the option of saving 606 a message 412 and can choose tosend 608 a message 412 from screen 600. When the narrowcaster selectssend 608, the narrowcaster's computer will contact the central computer405 through the network N and the central computer 405 will send thegenerated text message 412 to the recipients 605 selected from a list ofall authorized recipients 604. The text message 412 will be sentessentially simultaneously to all cellular phones 415 on the list 605 ofrecipients.

In use, a potential user learns of the possibility of receiving one ormore text messages 412 on a topic they are interested in such as scoresof a sports team at their school. The potential user can be directed toa web page where the user can complete an on-line application 200 andsubmit the on-line application 200 via the network N such as theInternet. A central computer 405 receives the on line application 200and can send an authorization code 225 in a text message M to the cellphone number indicted in the online application 200. The potential usermust then authorize the online application 200 by sending theauthorization code 225 back over the Internet N to the central computer405. Authorization can occur through a separate authorization web page300. Although the preferred process shows a web site, it would bepossible for the potential user to send a request via email, to receivethe authentication code back on their cell phone and then to send asecond email to verify the authorization code 225. Either methodverifies that the person asking for permission actually possesses thecell phone being authorized to receive messages 412.

While the invention has been described in reference to a preferredembodiment, it is not necessarily limited to the particulars set forth.On the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives,modifications and equivalents as set forth in the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer system, comprising: a centralprocessor; and a memory configured to store data in a data structure,wherein the data includes information indicating permission to causerespective future text messages to be transmitted to each of two or morecommunication devices; wherein the computer system is configured toreceive subscription preference information for a plurality ofparticular future text messages to be transmitted to one or more phonenumbers that correspond to one or more other communication devices,wherein the other communication devices are not any of the two or morecommunication devices; and wherein the computer system is furtherconfigured to, in response to receiving input that includes anauthorization code, update the data stored in the data structure basedon the subscription preference information received, such that the dataincludes information indicating permission to cause the plurality ofparticular future text messages to be transmitted to at least one of theother communication devices.
 2. The computer system of claim 1, furthercomprising: a web server configured to provide one or more web pagesfacilitating the receiving of the subscription preference information.3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system isconfigured to, in response to receiving the subscription preferenceinformation, cause a text message to be sent to the at least one of theother communication devices, wherein the text message includes theauthorization code, and wherein the text message is addressed to a phonenumber corresponding to the at least one of the other communicationdevices.
 4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer systemis further configured to, in response to the computer system receivinginput that includes a second authorization code, update the data storedin the data structure based on the subscription preference informationreceived, such that the data includes information indicating permissionto cause the plurality of particular future text messages to betransmitted to two of the other communication devices.
 5. The computersystem of claim 1, wherein the computer system is further configured toreceive a selection of at least one of a plurality of subjectcategories, wherein the plurality of particular future text messagesinclude content that is at least partially based on the selection. 6.The computer system of claim 1, further comprising: a second computersystem that is connected to the computer system via a networkconnection.
 7. A method, comprising: a computer system storing data in adata structure, wherein the data includes permission informationindicating permission to cause respective future text messages to betransmitted to each of two or more communication devices; the computersystem receiving subscription preference information for a plurality ofparticular future text messages to be transmitted to one or more phonenumbers that correspond to one or more other communication devices,wherein the other communication devices are not any of the two or morecommunication devices; and in response to the computer system receivinginput that includes an authorization code, the computer system updatingthe data stored in the data structure based on the subscriptionpreference information received, such that the data includes permissioninformation indicating permission to cause the plurality of particularfuture text messages to be transmitted to at least one of the othercommunication devices.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: inresponse to receiving the subscription preference information, thecomputer system causing a text message to be sent to the at least one ofthe other communication devices, wherein the text message includes theauthorization code, and wherein the text message is addressed to a phonenumber corresponding to the at least one of the other communicationdevices.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising: subsequent to theupdating the data stored in the data structure, the computer systemreceiving specific content for a first one of the plurality ofparticular future text messages; and the computer system causing thefirst text message to be transmitted to at least one of the othercommunication devices, wherein the first text message includes thespecific content.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the subscriptionpreference information indicates a user's selection of one or moresubject categories for the plurality of particular future text messages.11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the one or moresubject categories relates to sports.
 12. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: the computer system receiving additional subscriptionpreference information, and storing a corresponding list of phonenumbers that are authorized to receive individual ones of the pluralityof particular future text messages.
 13. The method of claim 7, whereinat least a first one of the plurality of particular future text messagesis specific to a geographic area associated with a user.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the specific geographic area is indicated by a zipcode associated with the user.
 15. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: the computer system unsubscribing the at least one of theother communication devices from receiving additional future textmessages.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium havinginstructions stored thereon that are executable by a computer system tocause the computer system to perform operations comprising: storing datain a data structure, wherein the data includes permission informationindicating permission to cause respective future text messages to betransmitted to each of two or more communication devices; receivingsubscription preference information for a plurality of particular futuretext messages to be transmitted to one or more phone numbers thatcorrespond to one or more other communication devices, wherein the othercommunication devices are not any of the two or more communicationdevices; and in response to receiving input that includes anauthorization code, updating the data stored in the data structure basedon the subscription preference information received, such that the dataincludes permission information indicating permission to cause theplurality of particular future text messages to be transmitted to atleast one of the other communication devices.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: in response to receiving the subscription preferenceinformation, generating the authorization code for inclusion in a textmessage to be sent to the at least one of the other communicationdevices.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 16, wherein the operations further comprise: modifying thepermission information to indicate that a user of the at least one ofthe other communication devices has consented to receive one or moredifferent future text messages corresponding to a different subjectcategory than a subject category relating to the plurality of particularfuture text messages; and updating the data stored in the data structurebased on the modifying.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 16, wherein the operations further comprise: schedulingat a selected time, a future transmission of at least one of theplurality of particular future text messages to be transmitted to the atleast one of the other communication devices.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: unsubscribing the at least one of the othercommunication devices from receiving additional further text messages.